New Delhi/UNI: Delhi Police will feature an all-women contingent in the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

IPS Shweta K. Sugathan is set to lead the Delhi Police contingent once again this year. Having led the contingent in the 2023 Republic Day parade, she is now the second woman, following IPS Kiran Bedi, to lead the Delhi Police contingent.

It is pertinent to mention here that SI Kiran Sethi, a 57-year-old police officer, volunteered to participate in the band contingent as a guide and to carry the heaviest band instrument, the Delhi Police said in a statement here.

This is the first time in history that Delhi Police is participating with its all-women parade and band contingent in the Republic Day Parade. The Delhi police contingent has been participating in the Republic Day parade since 1950.

The selection of women staff for the parade commenced in April 2023, and after selecting 350 women staff, practice was done every Friday until October 2023.

From November onwards, parade practice was done regularly under the guidance of Chief Drill Instructor Inspector Bishan Das Thakur, who has been training parade contingents for the last 36 years, the police said.

Delhi Police used to have only female pipe bands besides male brass bands. To complement the all-women parade contingent, a new women's brass band was also raised.

However, it was a difficult task, as it took almost two years to fully establish a brass band.

The task was made easier and possible to achieve by the willingness and enthusiasm shown by young female personnel, besides the supportive and encouraging atmosphere provided by senior officers, the police said.